Adjustable ratio belt drive



July 12, 1955 F. w. GUIBERT ADJUSTABLE RATIO BELT DRIVE Filed July 5, 1952 a w o 1| DJ M ii;.iiilii 5:;1iIl -1 W ii: I W 2. .l k M fi k m M ArTOE/VEZ United States Paten-t Qflice 2,7l2,7 Patented July 12, 1955 2,712,759 ADJUSTABLE RATIO BELT DRIVE Francis Walter Guibert, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 5, 1952, Serial No. 297,231 13 Claims. (Cl. 74-217) This invention relates to metering, and particularly to meters that are provided with indicating or recording registers.

Meters, such as those measuring the flow of electricity, gas, water, or the like, are now in extensive use. Although such meters are carefully designed to operate accurately, normally it is necessary to calibrate them, or to apply a correction factor. 1

It is one of the objects of this invention to make it possible readily to compensate for errors, so that the register or dial will indicate or record accurately.

Itis another object of this invention to make it possible to adjust the correction factor in a simple and accurate manner.

In order to accomplish these results, there is interposed between the meter and the indicator or register an adjustable ratio motion transmitting device that can be set at any value within limits, say, from a ratio of .8 to a ratio of 2.0; These limits are ample to include any correction factor that might possibly be required for compensation.

Such an adjustable ratio device is disclosed and claimed in my'copending application filed June 22, 1951, Ser. No. 233,036,. now Patent Number 2,638,008, and entitled Adjustable Compensator for Registering Meters, of which this application is a continuation-in-part.

In my above-mentioned copending application, there is disclosed a variable transmission utilizing a pair of rotatable cone elements connected together by a belt that is adjustable in a direction parallel to the axes of the cones. It is an object of this invention to improve such an adjustable ratio transmission device.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device of this character that is of extremely simple construction, and that can be adjusted within quite narrow limits by simple manipulations.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device of this character in which the belt coupling the rotating cone elements is prevented from being acci dentally displaced.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device of this character that is easily disassembled for re-' placement of parts. For this purpose, the rotating cone elements are mounted'on two-part shafts that are easily separated from each other, whereby the belt can be readily removed or'ins'erted.

' lt'is'another object of this invention to provide'a device of this character having meansi-a'djustably'inonntnig the belt that serve not only for this purpose, but also as a' structural part of the frame-for the 'mechanismpth'ereby promoting a compact and" economical structure.

This'invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly ap parent from a' consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying. and forming part of the present specification. The form. will. now be described in. detaiLiillustrating the general. principles of the; inven relationship. One of the conical members 14 tion; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus incorporating the invention; 1

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View, taken along the plane indicated by line 33 of Fig. I;

Fig. 4 is an. enlarged sectional view, taken along the plane indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the two-part shaft construction for the transmission mecha n1sm.

A meter 11 illustrated in Fig. 1, measuring, for instance, the flow of electricit water, gas, or the like, has a shaft 11a intended to operate, through a transmission mechanism, a shaft 12 of a register 13.

interposed between the meter 11) and the register 13 is the compensating device, by the aid of which the ratio of transmission from the shaft 11a of the meter to the shaft 12 of the register is adjusted within very close limits.

For this purpose, there are a pair of conical members 14 and 15 operatively connected to the shafts 12 and 11a, respectively, of the register 13 and meter 10. A box-like frame 16, comprising upper and lower spaced plates 17 and 18, and joined together by posts 19 and 20, mounts the conical members 14' and 15.

The conical member 14 is carried in the frame for rotation by a two-part shaft 23a, 23b. One portion 23a of the shaft mounts the conical member 14 for rotation therewith. The shaft 23a extends axially through the conical member 14, and is rotatably mounted by the aid of a bearing structure 24 in the lower plate 18; The upper portion 23b of the shaft extends throughv the upper plate 17, and is in driving engagement with the shaft 12 of the register 13. The manner in which the shaft parts 23a, 2312 are held together will be described more fully hereinafter. A suitable roller bearing 25, carried by the upper plate 17,. mounts the shaft 236 for rotation.

The conical element 15 is mounted for rotation betends through the lower plate 18, and is rotatably mounted by, the aid of a roller bearing 27 carried by the plate.

7 rotation by a roller bearing structure 28 in the upper plate 17.

The shafts 23a, 23b, 11a, 11b mount the conical members 14, 15 about parallel axes, and in spaced side-by-sideconverges axis 21. The other conical equal extentin the opposite in one direction along its member 15 converges inan direction alongits axis 22.

A friction belt 29, which may be of flexible material,

. such as rubber, or the like, encompasses the conical members 14 and 15 simultaneously, and forms a driving connection thereb'etween. The belt 29 is in simultaneous en-' gag'eme'nt with. an outside element 3b of the conical member 15 and an outside element 31 of the conical member 14-. Accordingly, as the conical member 15 is rotated by'the' meter shaft 11a; the belt'29 transmits rotary motion to the conical driven member 14 of the register shaft 12.

The ratio of transmission between the conical members 14, 15 isdependent upon the longitudinal position of the belt 25 along. the parallel axes 21, 23 of the conical members 14, 15. Thus, assuming the belt 29 to be in ina limiting sense, since the scope rotation 21. The ratio of transmission belt 29 that are then in an upper position, indicated by the dotted lines 29a in Fig. l, the ratio of transmission is in excess of unity, since that portion of the outside element 30engaged by the belt 29 is at a greater distance from its axis 22 of rotation than is the outside element 31 from its axis of then corresponds to the'ratio of the distance of the outside elements from their respective axes of rotation.

In a lower position of the belt, indicated by the dotted lines 29b in Fig. l, the ratio of transmission is substantially less than unity, since the distance of that portion of the outside element 30 which the belt 29b contacts is at a lesser distance from its axis 22 of rotation than is that portion of the outerelement 31 of the driven member 14 that is engaged by the belt 29b. In the full-line position of the belt 29, the ratio of transmission is substantially unity, the belt 29 being intermediate the length of the conical elements 14, 15.

For adjusting the longitudinal position of the belt 29 to control the ratio of transmission, a pair of slidable belt guiding rollers or shifters 32 and 33 are provided. The rollers 32 and 33 have annular recesses 34 and 35, respectively, that partially receive those portions of the engagement with the outside elements 30 and 31, respectively, of the driving and driven conical members and 14. The rollers 32 and 33, if maintained in predetermined positions, ensure that the belt 29 cooperates with a definite portion of the outside elements and 31.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the roller 32 is rotatably mounted between bifurcations of a yoke 36 by the aid of a shaft 37. Similarly, the roller 33 is mounted between bifurcations of a yoke 38 by the aid of a shaft 39.

Each of the yokes 36, 38 is movable in a direction parallel to the tapering outside elements 30 and 31, respectively. For this purpose, the yokes 36 and 38 have through apertures 40 and 41 of non-circular configuration slidably mounting the yokes 36, 38 on bars 42 and 43, respectively, that have corresponding non-circular sections (Fig. 3). These bars 42, 43 are parallel to each other and to the outside elements 30, 31 of the conical members 15, 14. Opposite ends of each of the bars are secured to the upper and lower plates 17 and 18 of the frame 16 and cooperate with the struts 19, 20 to determine a rigid configuration for the frame 16. V

For locating the yokes 36 and 38 at a definite position along the bars 42, 43, set screws 44, 45, carried by the yokes 36 and 37, are provided. These set screws extend through appropriate apertures 46, '47 in the yokes 36, 38 for engagement with the bars 42, 43. Lock nuts 48, 49 ensure against accidentally loosening of the set screws.

The yokes 36, 38 are separately adjustable,,and it is not required that they be at precisely the same level. A rough'setting of the desired ratio of transmission can be achieved by simultaneously moving the yokes 36 and 33 longitudinally to position the belt 29. After such rough setting is achieved, a line adjustment can be achieved by adjusting the position of only one of the yokes. Thus, assuming that the full-line positionin Fig. 1 corresponds to the rough ratio of transmission correction desired, a fine adjustment can be achieved. a

. Should this rough setting be such as to make the ratio of transmission too high, the belt guiding roller 32 may be lowered in small increments by adjusting only the position ofthe yoke 36. Such adjustment reduces the distance of that portion of the outer element 3i) of the driving cone 15 with which the belt 29 cooperates. Accordingly, the ratio of transmission is reduced. Optionally, to secure such a fine adjustment, the belt guiding roller 35 .may be moved downwardly by small increments through adjustment of its yoke 38. Such adjustment will increase the radial distance of that portion of the outer element 31 of the driven cone 14. from the axis 21. The ratio of transmission is thus reduced. Alternately, both guiding rollers can be separately adjusted.

Should the rough setting be such as to make the ratio of transmission too low, the rollers 32 or 35, both, may be separately raised.

The guide bars 42 propriate calibrations of the mechanism.

To facilitate simple replacement of parts, the shafts 23a, 23b and 11a, 11b are of two-part construction, as hereinbefore mentioned. I Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the shaft part 11a has a non-circular extension 52 accommodated in a corresponding bore 53 of a sleeve coupling member 54. The other part 11b (Fig. 1) has a downwardly extending non-circular projection 55 accommodated in the through bore 53 of the coupling sleeve 54. By means of the sleeve 54, the shaft parts 11a, 11b are coupled together.

The coupling sleeve 54 is held in operative engagement with both projections 52 and 55 and against a collar 56 of the upper shaft part 11b by the aid of a compression spring 57 engaging the coupling sleeve 54 on its lower side. This coil spring 57 is disposed in a circular recess 58 disposed in the end of the cone driving member 15. This recess 58 is of sufiicient size such that it may receive the sleeve 54. Thus, for uncoupling the shaft parts 11a, 11b, the coupling sleeve 54 is urged into the cone recess 58 and against the force of the spring 57. The shaft extension 55 of the upper shaft 26b is then out of engagement with the sleeve. Such two-part shaft construction is also used for the driven cone 14, and it is identical in every respect to the construction described inconnection with the spring shaft 11a, 11b.

Such shaft construction facilitates replacement of the belt 29. To replace the belt, the rollers 32 and 33 are moved toward the uppermost portions of the guiding bars 42 and 43. In such position, the belt 29 is out of engagement with the conical surfaces of the driving and driven members. The belt 29 can then be moved between the shaft parts 11a, 1111 when the sleeve coupling member 54 is depressed. In a similar manner, the belt 29 can be moved past the two-part shaft 23a, 23b for the driven member. Similarly, a replacement belt can be inserted.

The present construction provides an extremely simple device that has a minimum of operating parts. It can be set to an adjusted position with a minimum of difficulty and with extreme accuracy.

The inventor claims: I

1. In a compensating device for indicating or recording meters: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members for rotation in side-by-side relation; the surface of one of said members continuously converging in one direction, and the surface of the other of said members continuously converging in substantially the opposite direction; a flexible belt in engagement with the opposite outside elements of both of said surfaces of said members; a pair of belt shifters cooperable with the belt and determining that portion of the outside elements of said surfaces with which the belt cooperates; said shifters being independs ently adjustable along the respective outside elements; and releasable means securing the shifters in adjusted position.

2. In a compensating device for-rotary meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members for rotation in' substantially side-by-side relation; the surface of one of said members continuously converging in one direc: tion, and the surface of the other of said members continuously converging in substantially the opposite direction; a flexible belt in engagement with the opposite outside elements of said-surfaces respectively; .a pair of belt shifters spaced from the outside elements of said surfaces respectively, and accommodating thebelt; said Shi ters being independently adjustable parallel to said and 43 have formed thereon ap- 50 and 51 to aid in the adjustment outside element s respectively; and; releasable. means securing the shifters in adjusted position,

3. In a compensating device for rotary meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially qQ lical form; means mounting said members for; rotation in substantially side-by-side relation; the surface of one of said members continuously converging in one direction, and the surfaceaf: the othero? said members continuously converging in substan 13 the Opposite direction; a flexible belt in engagemen with the'opposite outside. elements of said surfaces respectively; a pair of grooved rollers, the grooves of which respectively engage the belt at the outside elements; means mounting the rollers for independent adjustment in a direction substantially parallel to said outside elements respectively; and releasable means securing the rollers in adjusted position.

4. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members for rotation in substantially side-by-side relation; the convergence of the surfaces of the members differing for a direction longitudinally of the members; a flexible belt in engagement with the opposite outside elements of the surfaces respectively; a pair of belt guiding structures independently adjustable longitudinally of said outsideelements respectively; and releasable means securing the belt guiding structures in adjusted position.

5. In a compensating device for meters or the like:

a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical K form; means mounting said members for rotation about parallel axes and in substantially side-by-side relation; the convergence of the members in one direction parallel to said axes differing; a flexible endless belt having an arcuate cross section engaging the opposite outside elements of the surfaces respectively; and a pair of independently adjustable belt guiding structures cooperable with the outside elements respectively for determining a confined space for the belt for shifting the belt longitudinally of said elements.

6. In a transmission for compensating indicating or recording meters: a frame; a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members on said frame for rotation about substantially parallel axes; the convergence of the surfaces being substantially equal, but opposite; said frame including a pair of non-circular bars extending in directions parallel to the opposite outside elements of the surfaces respectively; a flexible belt, the interior of which is in engagement with said opposite outside elements; a pair of arms having belt guiding members cooperable with the belt at those portions of said belt that are in engagement with said opposite outside elements; said arms each having apertures guidingly receiving said bars for adjustably mounting said arms on said bars respectively for independent movement longitudinally with respect to said bars to adjust the position of said belt with respect to said outside elements; and releasable means for securing said arms in adjusted position.

7. In a transmission for compensating indicating or recording meters: a frame; a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members on said frame for rotation about substantially parallel axes; the convergence of the surfaces being substantally equal, but opposite; a pair of non-circular bars mounted on the frame and extending in directions parallel to the opposite outside elements of the surfaces respectively; a flexible belt, the interior of which is in engagement with said opposite outside elements; a pair of grooved rollers, the grooves of which respectively engage the belt at those portions of the belt that are in engagement with said outside elements; brackets rotatably mounting said rollers, said brackets being adjustably mounted on said bars respectively for independent movement longitudinally with respect to said bars to adjust the; position of said belt with respect to said outside elements; and releasable means for securing said brackets in adjustedposition.

8. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a frame; a pair of members having. surfaces of substantially conical. form; means mounting said members for rotation in substantially side-by-side relation, comprising a pair of two-part shafts, and a coupling member for each. of said two-part shafts; said surfaces of said members differently converging for a direction longitudinally of the members; a flexible belt in engagement with the outside elements of the surfaces respectively; and a pair of belt guiding structures independently ad justable longitudinally of said outside elements respectively; said belt guiding structures being movable to an extreme position in which said belt is out of engagement with said elements.

9. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form, said members each being of two-part construction;

an axially separable connection between the parts of each member; means mounting said members for rotation in substantially side-by-side relation; the convergence of the surfaces of the members differing for a direction longitudinally of the members; a flexible belt in engagement with the outside elements of the surfaces respectively; and a pair of belt guiding structures independently adjustable longitudinally of said outside elements respectively.

10. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a frame; a pair of members having conical surfaces; a pair of two-part shafts for each of said members, one part of each of said two-part shafts extending through said members respectively, and rotatably mounted by said frame, the other part of each of said two-part shafts being substantially aligned with and spaced from said one part respectively, the contiguous ends of said shaft parts being non-circular in section; a connector sleeve for each of said pair of two-part shafts, and having noncircular recesses simultaneously receiving said contiguous ends; means forming an abutment limiting movement of said sleeve in one direction; resilient means urging said sleeves respectively toward said one direction, said two-part shafts being engaged by said sleeves when said sleeves are urged toward said one direction, but being out of simultaneous engagement with said shaft parts upon movement of said sleeve in the opposite direction; a flexible belt in engagement with the outside elements of the surfaces of the members respectively; and a pair of independently adjustable belt guiding structures carried by said frame and determining that portion of the outside elements with which said belt cooperates.

11. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members for rotation about parallel axes and in substantially side-by-side relation; the convergence of the members in one direction parallel to said axes differing; a flexible belt in engagement with the outside elements of the surfaces respectively; a pair of independently adjustable belt guiding structures cooperable with the outside elements respectively for determining a confined space for the belt for shifting the belt longitudinally of said elements; and releasable means for securing said belt guiding structures in adjusted position.

12. In a compensating device for meters or the like: a pair of members having surfaces of substantially conical form; means mounting said members for rotation in substantially side-by-side relation; the convergence of the surfaces of the members differing for a direction longitudinally of the members; a flexible endless belt having an arcuate cross section, the belt engaging opposite outside elements of the surfaces respectively; and a pair of belt guiding structures independently adjustable longitudinally of said outside elements respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sims Aug. 5, 1890 Rowe 2 Nov. 9, 1897 Harton Nov. 30, 1897 Wingate Nov. 24, 1903 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Great Britain of 1912 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1935 

